News

Royal Huisman expands Asian presence

Published: Tuesday, 02 July 2013
Mike Fulton

The Royal Huisman team has been increasingly active in building its brand within the Asian economic region through its annual appearances at the Hainan Rendezvous, participation in the Singapore Yacht Show and the Asia Superyacht Rendezvous, as well as dinners and presentations for select audiences in Beijing, Hong Kong and Singapore.

Also, the 57.5-metre Royal Huisman-built ketch Twizzle has become an ambassador in the region. She has cruised and chartered extensively in Asian waters, presided spectacularly at the Singapore and Phuket boat shows, and won an impressive array of awards including Asia Boating Awards’ Best Custom Yacht (2011) and Best Asian-based Charter Yacht (2013).

Having established networks and friendships among owners, prospective customers, industry contacts and the media, Royal Huisman is now consolidating its presence in these important markets with the appointment of two highly experienced and capable Regional Liaisons.

To cover the Hong Kong region, Royal Huisman has appointed Bart Kimman, a Dutch national and director of Northrop & Johnson HK. Kinman has been based in the region for 25 years and is well established in the industry.

Commenting on his appointment, Kimman said: "It is both an honour and a pleasure to be related to such a prestigious shipyard and such fine yachts. I need to find a buyer for a Royal Huisman yachts as soon as possible and we must introduce the Royal Huisman tradition to serious yachtsmen in Hong Kong. At Northrop and Johnson we are used to dealing with the top yards around the world and it is a credit to the thinking of Royal Huisman to actually appoint liaison offices on the ground in emerging markets such as we are in."

For China, the yard has appointed Rene Ho, managing director and founder of Martello Yachting. Although Dutch-born, Ho is a native Chinese speaker and very well connected in major cities throughout China. He is based in Beijing.

The Regional Liaisons role will be to provide an on-the-ground presence and support for Royal Huisman, its customer development activities and the support of future clients. They will provide advice and guidance, especially to those new to the world of custom superyachts and to sailing. They will act as ambassadors for Dutch quality in superyacht building.

As more yachts in the Huisman fleet are drawn to Asian cruising grounds, their presence in the region will add much weight to the expanded promotional programmes now being undertaken between the Royal Huisman and its experienced new Regional Liaisons.